Police arrest driver for DUI for role in Westtown motorcycle collision

WESTTOWN — A motorcyclist was critically injured Friday night when the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup truck made a turn into his path along Wilmington Pike, police said.

Westtown-East Goshen Police said Liam Crowley, 24, of Chesterbrook, is in critical condition at Paoli Hospital following the 10:28 p.m. crash near Stanton Avenue.

Police said they arrested Robert Elwood Landis, 49, of the 900 block of South Concord Road, Westtown, for driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked for DUI, and other traffic offenses.

According to court documents, Landis has faced DUI charges five times in the past.

Police said Crowley was northbound on Wilmington Pike (Route 202) when the southbound pickup operated by Landis made a turn for Stanton Avenue into the northbound traffic lane.

Police said Crowley’s Triumph motorcycle struck the passenger side of Landis’ truck. Landis continued his turn onto Stanton Avenue, leaving a trail of debris from Crowley’s cycle, and pieces of the cycle were found in the bed of Landis’ truck, police said.

Crowley was transported by Good Fellowship Ambulance and Medic 91 to Paoli Hospital with serious injuries. Police said he was wearing a helmet.

Traffic was completely shut down in both directions on Wilmington Pike for a few hours as investigators gathered evidence until early Saturday morning.

Police said Landis showed signs of intoxication and failed a series of field sobriety tests. After processing, Landis was taken to the Chester County Prison on a Pennsylvania state parole detainer.

Police said charges related to Friday’s crash will be filed Monday in district court.

The crash remains under investigation by the Chester County Serious Crash Accident Team. Police are seeking witnesses and ask anyone with information to call 610-692-5100.

Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department was assisted by West Goshen, Birmingham, West Sadsbury and Uwchlan police; West Chester Fire Department; West Chester Fire Police; Good Fellowship Ambulance; and Medic 91.

At the time of the crash, a DUI checkpoint was being held in the 600 block of East Market Street in West Chester. The checkpoint was run by the Chester County DUI Enforcement Task Force and made contact with 612 vehicles, police said. Of those, 18 drivers were given field sobriety tests and seven of those drivers were arrested for DUI, according to police.